Improvement in methods of producing autographic stencils



S. S. NIC'KERSON. Methd for Producing Autographs-Stencil.

Nol/215.833. Patented May 27,1379.

WITNEE# IINIT w/ymm Jmwyfm ArnNr Orrrcn SAMUEL S. NIOKERSON, OF WESTDERBY, VERMONT.v

IMPROVEMENT IN METHODS OF-PRODUCING AUTOGRAPHIC STENCILS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 215,833, (lated May 27,1879 application filed oetobees, 187e.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL STIeKNEY NICKERSON, of West Derby, in thecounty of `YOrlean's and State of Vermont, have invented scription ofthe invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, whichformv part of this specicat-ion.

My invention, which may be styled a multograph or a stu1ograph, relatesto an im'- proved method of producing successively-large numbers offac-simile inked representations or copies without the use of a pen, andby a mere mechanical as 'distinguished from a chemical action of thewriting-instrument upon'va prepared paper, all as more particularlyhereinafter set forth.

I make the prepared paper by taking any ordinary thin writing-paper,(though I deem paper made from linen the best for the purpose,) and coatit on one side with one or more coats of a varnish composed of ir-balsamcut with alcohol and reduced by spirits of turpcntine. Ilnd in practicethat these should be of about equal parts. Other resins or varnishes maybe used; also other substances that will render the paper impervious tothe printingink used, but yet of such a nature as to be removed bytheaction of a stylus or other pointed instrument, as hereinafter setforth. The application of the coating renders the prepared paperwater-proof, and the paper is preferably saturated as well as coated orsurfaced with the preparation or balsam.

If desired, the unvarnished side of the paper may be strengthened by athin sizing of glue. or by other suitable sizing. After the coating isapplied the paper must be. a llowed to thoroughly dry. This preparedpaper is then placed on a sheet of soft paper, or other material whichis slightly yielding or elastic,

, the unvarnished side or face of the paper being preferably uppermost,and then any appropriate pointed instrument or creaser, such as astylus, is employed to make upon this upper side the marks or creases inthe form of the required writing or delineation, as the case may be,such marks being preferably made of about equal depth or indentation, tomake the best work, the degree of finish andaccuracy in thisl particulardepending, as in all other artsmore or less on the practice and skill ofthe operator. This prepared paper, thus having marked upon it (butwithout as yet any ink orcoloring-matter whatever) the desired writing,delineation, sketch, 85e., of any kind, constitutes the main part orfoundation of my invention, and such writing, delineation, Ste., is-nowcomplete thereon, and of which any reasonable number up to severalhundreds of successive impressions may be afterward made, in coloredink, upon ordinary sheets of writing or printing paper having a surfacenot too highly glazed, as will next be explained.

I next use a pad,which may be 'made of a Water-proof pasteboard, or ofindia-rubber or other yielding or elastic material, and cover it with acloth-say, for instance, of pluslnvelvet, or similar material-andsaturate this pad with a coloring-matter, which may be any aniline orother coloring' dye, ink, or material which is Asufficiently soluble topermeate that portion of the above-described prepared paper which shallhave been previously mechanically traced or marked by the writing-toolor stylus, as before stated.

The effect of the varnish having been not only to render the varnishedpart water-proof, but also to render the paper somewhat brittle or crispin its fiber or texture, theaction of the writing-instrument, as itpresses upon the unvarnished side of the paper, is to somewhatdisintegrate, break, or disturb its fiber, without removing orscratching away any of the body of the paper, and while thus actingmechanically upon the paper it also acts mechanil cally upon the varnishby delicately breaking it away at all the lines made by the tool.

I now with a brush or cloth apply the coloring-matter, and which may beof any desired or available color, to the written part of theunvarnished side of the prepared paper until--say in a minute-*thistracing or writing has absorbed or been filled up with such coloring.This paper stencil is then placed with its unvarnished side upon thesaturated pad above mentioned, and any sheet of paper which is to beimpressed is laid on top of the varnished side ot' such stencil andsubjected to pressure in any convenient way-as, for instance, in acopying-press; The result is a colored fac-simile upon-the paper of theoriginal colorless indented tracing, Writing, or other delineation.

The imprints or impressions may be repeated or multiplied by simplypresenting fresh sheets of paper to be similarly pressed; and it isfound in practice that many hundreds of impressions may be made Withouteven rei newing the ink or coloring-matter on the pad, the number beinglimited only by the supply of ink and the durability ot' thestencil-paper.

As hereinbef'ore intimated, the prepared paper may he written upon oneither side; but the best results are attained by using the stylus uponthe unvarnished side.

It- Will now be seen that, the materials being tirst prepared,production of the copies is a purely mechanical act; that uo chemicalaction is needed upon the prepared paper to remove any of' its coating;that no pen -is used; that no Writing-ink or chemical ink of any kind isconveyed to the paper from the stylus or marker, which, on the contrary,is not dipped in any liquid; that there is consequently no need ofWaiting for the ink of a pen to dry upon a prepared paper; that there isno color imparted by the stylus or instrument, but that thecoloring-matter comes from, and only from, the pad, or from the brushand the pad, to the prepared paper; that no acids or chemicals are usedto remove any of the coating from the prepared paper; and that, in theact ot' Writin g with the creaser or stylus, the prepared paper does notimpart any color or mark to another sheet, and therein difteringessentially from the Well-known manifold Writers, Wherein are usedalternate layers of carbon paper and Writing-paper.

No special i'orm or construction of apparatus is necessary forpracticing` my invention,

b. A metal clamp, c, is connected to one sideof this bed, so a's to folddown upon it and upon the edges of the prepared paper, and a yieldingthick paper, d, is connected to another side of this bed b, these partsthus mak*- ing a folding portfolio. The paper stencil e, Fig. 2, beingplaced, as heretofore stated, up-

on the pad, the clam p can then be turned down upon it to retain it inposition,then the sheet of paper to be impressed laid upon it, the foliod closed .upon this paper, and the requisite pressure applied to makethe copy.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent,

isi l. The described method of making a porouspaper stencil adapted forusevin producing facsimile copies ot' writings, 86e., the sameconsisting in tirst preparing a paper with the materials, substantiallyas described, in the manner set forth, and then with a dry tracer orstylus mechanically delineating thereon the desired Writing, 85e., torender the lines of the same receptive of the ink to be afterwardapplied, substantially as set forth.

2. The described method or process for the production of fac-similecopies, the same con.- sisting of mechanically marking, by pressure andWithout ink, the rvWriting `or delineation desired upon 'a paperprepared with the materials substantially as described, and then, bypressure, causing an ink on coloring-matterfto be passed through suchmarked and permeable lines or parts and imprinted on a sheet of aper. Y

SAMUEL STICKNEY NICKERSON.

Witnesses:

F. E. GHOATE, ROBT. S. GARDINER.

fw A)

